Literature
+

More Information
+

The ORTEC digiDART-LF is a high performance Multichannel Analyzer for use with NaI(Tl) radiation detectors and modern scintillators such as lanthanum halides. It has been carefully engineered to perform the most demanding real world, PORTABLE gamma-ray spectroscopy applications. The digiDART-LF is an advanced, all-digital design, incorporating three ORTEC-held patents.

digiDART-LF. . . Tough, Yet Light
Weighing less than 860 grams, the digiDART-LF is an attractive, light-weight instrument; easy to handle, and RUGGED. The case is molded ABS — the same strong plastic used extensively in automobiles. The outside is coated with a shock-absorbing, easy-grip, stay-clean coating — just like your other tools. The display and keypad are recessed to protect them if the instrument is dropped. The connectors are all on one side and recessed for protection. The battery is inside — again for added protection and covered with a splash-proof door. It can be charged in place, even when the digiDART-LF is operating. The battery is truly integrated into the rugged digiDART-LF and not simply clipped on the back panel; exposed and easy to break. Changing the battery is simple: just open the door and replace.

digiDART-LF Display and Keypad
Naturally, the digiDART-LF is entirely computer controllable; but with the built-in display and numeric keypad, it is a DRAMATIC advance from the current generation of portable MCAs. This high-quality display and easy to use keypad mean it can perform a variety of tasks without an attached PC.

For in-field applications, a PC is difficult to carry and operate, but without a display you can't see the spectrum or results. The digiDART-LF's built-in, backlit LCD display panel and keypad provide the confidence you need that your data is good. A clear spectral display is provided and start/stop control is accomplished simply by a single keypad entry.

The spectral display of the digiDART-LF is patterned after ORTEC's very successful MAESTRO MCA Emulator, in use on thousands of systems worldwide. A 240 x 160 pixel LCD display allows the user to monitor acquisitions and instrument settings status, with no attached PC. It features a live spectral display with region of interest, peak information and online activity calculations. ROIs are shown as a bar below the spectrum.

Real Time Activity Calculations. . . NO PC Required!
DigiDART-LF can also perform nuclide ID and activity calculations using internally stored calibration information, at the touch of a button, and all without the use of an attached PC. Everything is user controlled: the library for analysis, displayed peak labels, unit labels and calibration parameters. They are all easily downloaded by MAESTRO to the digiDART-LF, but they can be changed in-field to adapt to your changing needs. Activity is calculated for a list of up to 9 nuclides. The spectral data can be saved and later re-analyzed in more detail using a more sophisticated PC-based analysis package such as A66SV-BW GammaVision Gamma Spectroscopy software for scintillation radiation detectors.

Operator Menus
All of the digiDART-LF screens and operations are set using the keypad and the display. The operation is simple — select what you want from the displayed list by number and the Enter key. The main groups are: View Status, Enter ID, Nuclide ROI contents, Peak Info, Select ROIs, Select Status contents, Adjust controls, general settings and View memory contents. The complete list of all functions is given in the specification section.

Using the keypad and the display, the MCA settings can be verified or changed in the field without a host computer.

Protection
Protection of the data is important, so the menus have password protection. The operations are separated into two groups: USER and ADMINISTRATOR. The USER password protects the instrument from unauthorized use. That is, you can protect your data stored in the internal memory. The ADMIN or Setup functions are protected by a different administrator password. The ADMIN functions can only be changed by the Administrator ensuring that your results are based on the correct parameters.

Specifications
+

User-configurable parameter display. Choice of two from: cursor energy, location, live time, live time remaining, real time remaining, battery life remaining, Count rate, Count rate in ROI, counts.
The spectral display may be disabled from an attached computer using an administrator function.User-configurable parameter display.

Energy Calibration

Two point energy calibration of channel and FWHM.

On Line Activity Calculation

Activity and uncertainty are calculated and reported on screen, online for up to 9 user-defined regions. Activity is calculated as net count-rate divided by user supplied efficiency factor.

Presets

Live time, real time, integral peak count, peak count, uncertainty and Multi-Nuclide MDA. Up to 20 nuclide ROIs may be specified. Acquisition halts when all MDA requirements have been satisfied. Real/Live Time in multiples of 1 sec.

Keypad

20 numeric and function keys. Many of the DigiDART function keys are multi-function. The precise function depends on the context at the time the key is pushed. When the unit is connected to a computer via the USB, the keypad is locked out.

Menu Functions
Pressing the Menu button while a spectrum is displayed brings up the Main Menu.

View Status

Displays all of the major MCA settings, including: Live time, Real time, Dead time, Battery voltage, Bias voltage, Fine gain, Coarse gain, Rise time, Flat top, Baseline restore [BLR] setting.

Enter ID

Entry dialog for a numerical ID included with the spectrum.

Nuclide ROIs

View the nuclide report and the setup menu for the Nuclide Report. The following are entered for each of the 9 ROIs: ACTIVE/DISABLED, Label (text), Units (text), Start Channel, number of channels, area multiplier, Clear this ROI, Show these settings.

Status Line

Setup the Status Line at the top of the spectrum display to show any two of the following parameters: Cursor location (energy), Cursor location (channel), Live time, Real time, Live time remaining, Real time remaining, Battery time remaining, Count rate, Count rate in ROI, Counts in marker channel.

Peak Info

Displays the centroid, FWHM, net counts and gross counts for the region identified by the marker position. Access is denied when spectrum display is locked.

A single battery is inserted through door in case. The compartment is semi-sealed and designed to resist dirt and moisture. The battery may be changed without loss of data or charged in the field with no tools.
• Battery Life: Up to 12 hours with fully charged Sony NP-F960 and standard ORTEC resistive feedback preamplifier.
• Battery Type: Lithium-ion Camcorder Battery. Sony NP-F960 (7.2 V 38.8 W hr).